It was at last year’s event, Dr. LeBlanc recounted Tuesday, that a neighbor told him some Chinese-speaking neighbors didn’t have access to Chinese media—and asked whether the university do something to help? The university provided access cards to Gelman Library, one of many neighbor benefits.

“That’s just one example where we want to give back to our community, and I was so pleased we were able to do that,” Dr. LeBlanc said.

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church hosted Tuesday’s dinner, and students from GW’s Honey W. Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service served up the turkey, dressing, Brussels sprouts and a trio of pies—pumpkin, pecan and apple—for the neighbors.

“If there’s something the university can be doing to strengthen our community, provide service to you, I hope you’ll let me know,” Dr. LeBlanc said. “If we can, we’ll figure out how to do it.”

Director of Community Relations Kevin Days manages the FRIENDS meetings and serves as neighbors’ main point of contact on any university issue.